3 weeks already?

We have been in the U.S. for 3 weeks and I am just getting around to blogging. While it is true that we have been busy, mainly I blame it on our camera. Somewhere along the line, I have lost the cord for our camera. Considering we are on our 3rd state since arriving, it is not too surprising. Ah the joys of living life out of suitcase for weeks on end! Somehow to me blogging without pictures is like only telling half of the story. Know that there are stories to be told and adventures are being had. Hopefully, sometime soon I will be able to communicate them to you.

Anyway. . . we have been in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and even took a trip to the Smokey Mountains. While it is great to do fun and exciting things (like go to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, an event that clearly needs its own entry), I must confess that some of our favorite things have been the mundane: going to the library, playing outside, and seeing people we love.

Celebrating the 4th in Ameri-Pan

While both Dave and Amree and ourselves live outside the US, our experiences are much different. Becca kept commenting that it didn't really feel like we were in another country in most ways, but in some ways it did. Before long, she coined the phase "Ameri-Pan" (for America-Japan). And she was right. Living so close to the navy base, and especially on the base provides a much different experience than what we are used to. No one really stares at you (because there are so many Americans), there is tons of familiar things available (especially food), and because of this it just has a bit of a different feel to it.

Because I had been up most of the night with Dave and Amree, I spent much of the morning napping. After lunch we headed out to a park with fountains and an old Japanese navy ship. We explored the ship, found a great playground, then headed to the base to eat dinner with Dave. We then finished our day off with ice cream and fireworks. What a terrific 4th!

Nothing better on a hot day than playing in a fountain.

I particularly enjoy Josh's pose (of course my boy is sporting a gun), but what is Becca doing?

Becca and Josh were pointing at a sailboat in the water, but umm T, where are you pointing?

My favorite quote of the day. . . Tori came running over to me and grumped, "Mom, that little girl just stole my machine gun!"

Josh practicing with the guns. Such a boy!

Eating Baskin Robbins while watching the fireworks

Our princess couldn't resist dancing because as she said, "The fireworks are so beautiful, I want to dance with them."

Welcome!

On our way back to the US, we stopped in Japan to see Dave and Amree. They were due to have the baby any day and selfishly, I (and the girls) wanted it to be born while we were there so we could meet him. We arrived July 2 in the evening. July 3 we were able to enjoy time with Dave and Amree. But by the evening, it began to look like the little one wanted to make an appearance. So I want to introduce you to:

John Hezekiah

born on July 4th at 5:01 AM

weighing in at 9 pounds, 14 ounces

I love this picture of the new family!

Meeting his cousins. . .

Tori loved to touch his hair. She kept saying, "I love it. I love him. His hair is so soft." (over and over)

Going home?

We have been getting ready for our annual trip to the US. As I have been talking to friends here, I keep saying, "we go home _______." , "when we go home, _______". But the other day I got to thinking. . . where is home? Because by the end of the summer, I am again telling people, "we go home ______." Is our home the US? Of course. This is especially true for Andy, Becca, Josh, and I. B in particular has distinct memories of living in the US. But we sometimes wonder what our youngest actually remembers of living in the US. And even if we moved to another country tomorrow (not that we are planning on that, I'm just saying), the US would still be home and claim a piece of our hearts. But then, is China our home? Definitely, we have a house here, a life here. But does one trump the other? And that, I think, is a truly hard question. This is illustrated as we fill out forms. Just yesterday Andy was trying to pay with Paypal, but because our phone number wasn't located in the same postal code as our address, it freaked out and refused the transaction. We claim an old Indy phone number (cause really, who wants or will honestly call a China #?), with a Seattle address, but actually are in neither of these places. From the outside, it sounds like we are a little confused. Or you can see the evidence in talking with Tori as she jumps from Chinese and English with ease. I think one of our great lessons is to find home no matter where our family is. Because what really defines home? A place? Last summer when we returned to China, I got off the plane in Shanghai, breathed in the thick, humid air with that distinct China smell, and I felt like I was home. Or in the US as I hear our kids laughing and playing with friends they have known their whole lives, I am home.

The Neighborhood

There are many things that we really enjoy about living in China. I think that one of the things that we often take for granted is our neighborhood. We live in a gated community (which actually has less to do with safety and more about preventing theft). But this provides a very safe environment for our kids. They often get home from school and go out searching for friends. They have a lot of freedom that would not be possible in the US. For example, this morning our front door seemed like a revolving door with kids in and out. At one point, I counted 5 kids that weren't ours. Since there is only one international school on our side of the city, most of the kids that live here are also classmates of our kids. All the moms pitch in and look out for the kids. Really makes it feel like what community should be. And what it used to be in the US. How did we lose that?

Gearing up

We leave China in just a little over a week. I think that I have everything bought. I have pondering packing, but in reality will pack just a couple days before we leave. On our way back to the U.S., we will make a stop in Japan to see Dave and Amree (Andy's bro and sister-in-law). They are expecting a baby and due any day. I have hopes that I will get to snuggle that little one during our time there, but as we all know babies come on their own time! Someone asked what I need to do to get ready to go back to the U.S. And honestly, it is not nearly as much work as getting ready to come back to China. The shopping that I need to do on this side is for gifts. Now in the U.S., I have a ton of shopping of things that we bring back every year. I have also been getting my lists in order of what I need to buy, do, accomplish while stateside. Though that is not a favorite task because it can seem like an overwhelming amount to accomplish in just 6 weeks. The kids have begun to pack their bags. They each have a small suitcase that they take on the plane with them. Becca often packs hers, thinks about it, unpacks some things, and then re-packs it several times. I cannot say that I blame her for wanting to get it just right -- 14 hours is a LONG time to be on a plane! But in the meantime, there is a lot going on here. Andy's boss and family arrived from the U.S., we have taught English several times this week, plus all of the usual end of the school year things. I think that I will breathe a big sigh of relief when we get on the plane. . .

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day! To all you wonderful Dads, thank you for all the love and countless hours you give your kids. And to Andy, you are such a great Dad. I love watching you with our kids. Watching you experience their joys and hurts with them. All the small things that you do for them each day. We are each so blessed by you! So thank you for the many things you do for each of us. So thank you for . . . .

For taking special time with each of the kids.

For your sense of adventure. And passing that on to our kiddos.

For your tender heart.

For your exuberance.

For being there when one of the kids are worried.

For being the help that they each need.

For being the the love of my life. And my partner in adventure.

We love you and are thankful for you each and every day. I am grateful to be able to go on this adventure of life with you.